UC Irvine Extension Offers Online Writing Course on 20th Century American Writers

Business Wire, July 30, 2008

IRVINE, Calif. -- The University of California, Irvine Extension is launching a new online course titled, "Voices and Visions of 20(th) Century American Writers." Course topics include the characteristics of different literary periods in 20th century American literature and identification of leading writers and their works. The course will be offered in an online format from Sept. 29 to Dec. 5.

Students will learn how to identify and discuss the major genres of writing within this century, such as: Realism, Cosmopolitanism, Naturalism, The Chicago School, Modernism, The Harlem Renaissance, Drama, and Multi-ethnic Fiction. They will also understand how powerful forces have impacted American Literature in the twentieth century, and how social and cultural movements, scientific advancements and history-marking events have all influenced writers during the time period.

"This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge of how this literature reflects the perceptions of the American experience and their own lives," says Jerry Binder, Ph.D., instructor of the course. "With America's list of great twentieth century literature, the students will survey the rich diversity of fiction, poetry and drama."

Binder is a researcher, writer and educator who offers courses that focus on American culture. He utilizes his background in the social sciences to examine arts and humanities in a way that enriches the understanding of our national life and invites others to examine their own impressions and self-perceptions.

The online course will take a look at the human condition itself, in all its complexity, brilliance, evil and decency which has shaped the vision and the voices of these writers. Their masterworks offer insightful social commentary and compelling portraits of humanity.

For more information about the course, please contact Kay Kohara at UnexArts@uci.edu or (949) 824-5414.

About the University of California, Irvine Extension: As the continuing education arm of UCI, UC Irvine Extension is dedicated to providing a university-level learning experience for students, offering thousands of exciting courses and programs to local, regional, and global constituencies. UC Irvine Extension offers a rich array of academic and community programs to support a diverse audience, from a wide selection of academic programs to numerous campus activities. For more information, please visit www.extension.uci.edu.

About the University of California, Irvine: The University of California, Irvine is a top-ranked university dedicated to research, scholarship and community service. Founded in 1965, UCI is among the fastest-growing University of California campuses, with more than 27,000 undergraduate and graduate students and about 1,400 faculty members. The second-largest employer in dynamic Orange County, UCI contributes an annual economic impact of $3.3 billion. For more UCI news, visit www.today.uci.edu.